Just four London businesses have been prosecuted and fined for employing illegal workers in the past year.

The staggeringly low amount of prosecutions was revealed today by The UK Borders Agency in a naming and shaming of companies across England and Wales who employ cheap illegal migrants.

Businesses were fined in the region of £5,000 to £10,000. £5,000 for each illegal employed.

Estimates at 500,000

Estimates put the number of illegal workers at 500,000 with many of them in London.

Overall the total number of prosecutions is 10 times higher than the total for 2007, and double the total for the previous decade, says officials. Some 6,300 operations during 2007-08 led to 5,500 arrests.

Focus switched to Mr Bigs

Most of the London prosecutions have been Indian restaurants and corner shops and immigration chiefs are switching their attention away from small business to the "Mr Bigs" who organise the people smuggling operations.

Chinatown and Indian restaurants have complained that the immigration forces actions were killing their industry as only traditionally trained chefs and staff could provide services.

7,500 immigration officers will be re-organised into localised teams to target hotpots such as London.

With the new focus on organised immigration crime, the low number of prosecutions may continue but would have a bigger impact on those dodging tax and without accredited health and safety certificates.

Check below to see the list of London businesses prosecuted for employing illegal workers.

Name of Employer / Name of Company / Location of Company / Number of Illegal Workers / Fine / Date

Mohammed Salim / Limehouse Superstores / London 1 / £5,000 / 16/05/2024

Hussan Shahzad / Mirch Masala / London 2 / £10,000 / 16/05/2024

Anna Funcasta / Twin Cut / London 1 / £5,000 / 16/05/2024

Melvin Mattock / Edmonton Machines / Enfield 1 / £5,000 / 30/05/2024